Different Religions of the world and Coronavirus
The novel coronavirus is a disease that has infected more than 134,500 people worldwide. More than 134,500 people have been infected globally and over 4,900 have died, according to a Reuters tally of government announcements posted on 13 March 2020.
(Reuters) – The number of people infected with coronavirus topped 111,000 across the world as the outbreak reached more countries and caused more economic damage.
The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has hit the different religions of the world in many ways. The cancellation of the worship services of various Religions has occurred in the world. The closure of Sunday Schools of churches, Friday Jumma gathering of Muslims and the cancellation of religious pilgrimages surrounding observances and festivals have been observed. As more than 12 million people visit Mecca throughout the year for performing of hajj, which begins on 28 July this year. Thus, the hub of the Muslim’s world has declared closed due to the fear of spreading Coronavirus among Muslims. Besides many churches, mosques and temples have also closed and offered worship through a live stream during the pandemic of Coronavirus.
Corona Virus and Religious Festivals
Similarly, Religious festivals have been blocked and scaled back due to coronavirus throughout the world in many Muslim countries. The sad thing is that in the upcoming month, most of the worldβs major religions have festivals where large amount gatherings of people are going to be taken if these are not stopped by soft and hard sources.
Important Religious festivals of April 2020 are given as
- The Islamic holy month of Ramadan begins around 23-24 April 2020. (Muslim Hajj begins on 28 July this year)
- Easter is on 12th April
- Passover begins on 8 April; Rama Navami,
- Hindu festival is on 2 April 2020
- The Sikh festival of Vaisakhi is also in April
How Are Major Religions Responding to the Coronavirus?
In the world, many religious practices as mentioned above of hundreds of millions of people are on the way in the coming days. The crisis has indulged every religious leader to advise their followers not only take the safety precautions but also to embrace their spirituality to help confront the health, social, and economic challenges ahead. Top Islamic clerics in the region and majority-Muslim communities have endorsed the closure of mosques to avoid large gatherings where the risk of contamination could be high.
Pakistan President and Religious Scholars
President Dr Arif Alvi has urged the religious scholars to play their role in creating awareness amongst masses about coronavirus and wooing them to adopt the precautionary measures. He was talking to Minister for Religious Affairs Pir Noor-ul-Haq Qadri and Chairman Islamic Ideology Council Qibla Ayaz in Islamabad on Tuesday. The President stressed that precaution is the only panacea to cope with this crisis.Β He said the people should practice social distancing and hygiene to stay safe.
Religious leaders in the fight against COVID-19
Each and every religions force over the cleanliness in the surrounding and that of the humans’ body parts. In Islam, state of being clean; without dirt or other impurities are considered a half faith. Therefore, every religious scholar is forcing the state clean. World Health Organization (WHO) with the support of religious leaders need to launch a campaign to raise awareness about Coronavirus. Religions are religious leaders in the fight of against COVID-19 are the greatest hurdle so far. Thus, it should be taken seriously because if there is no life; there will be no religion in the world.
Coronavirus and OIC Reaction
The Secretary-General (SG) of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Dr Yousef bin Ahmed Al-Othaimeen due to constant spread of COVID-19 emphasised the OICβs support for all the struggles made by its member Muslim states to restrict the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19). He also praised its member states for their precautionary measures to prevent and protect their citizens. OIC reaction in this regard is very essential because Muslim countries have also faced the menace of Coronarivus where Iran is majorly affected.
He also called on the governments of member states, research institutions and scientists of the Islamic world to work together. He stressed on to join hands and coordinate in order to accelerate and contribute to the production of a vaccine or a cure for the virus. Many countries in the world seek to produce a successful drug that ends this disaster that imperils the world, stressing its confidence in the energy and capabilities of the Islamic world and its human cadres to work, innovate and produce.
Coronavirus and Muslim countries
Muslim countries worldwide have confronted with a crisis of coronavirus. Iran has a total of 17,361 confirmed cases so far till date 29th March 2020. According to Time newsletter, Iran’s Coronavirus Death Toll Surges Past 1,100. Beside Iran other Muslim countries that are hugely affected are Algeria, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Maghreb, Mashriq, Middle East, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Tunisia, Turkey and the atomic power Pakistan.
Turkey which was free from Coronavirus has also witnessed a few cases of COVID-19 patients. Iran, after China, is another country of the Muslim world. It was accused of under-reporting the occurrence of COVID-19 within its borders. Saudi Arabia the major power has also detected 17 new cases, 11 of whom were Egyptians. Where Pakistan, on the other hand, had confirmed its first death from coronavirus: a 50-year-old man who had returned from Saudi Arabia.
To conclude, Muslim countries and all other countries are accusing each other of the spread of Coronavirus. They have blocked their borders and followed the steps of being isolation. Religious leaders of various schools have taken their utmost support to fight against the Coronavirus. The centre of the Muslim world called Khana Kaba with that of the small mosques and lots of well famous churches plus Hindus temples have also closed owing to the fear of spreading this virus. Different religions of the world are now aware of the Coronavirus and are adopting various strategies to get rid of this infection. It is anticipated that the unity of the religious scholars will soon be capable to overcome these diseases. Let us pray to God altogether to help us while defeating and having control over this infection and all others as well.
This Post is dynamic, which will be updated with the due passage of TIME…
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